An unmistakable cannonball of cheese in a cantaloupe-shaped disguise!  A French take on Dutch aged gouda or edam, Mimolette is made with the addition of Annatto (a natural vegetable dye) for a deep orange color. 

These wheels have a crusty, dry, natural rind that resembles the skin of a cantaloupe.  Inside, the paste is dense and firm with a tendency to flake apart into bite-size golden nuggets.  The flavors are milder and less sweet than a gouda, but just as rich and savory.  A beautiful addition to a cheese plate for its striking color and ability to pair with almost any beverage. 

Mimolette is also the subject of one of our favorite urban cheese legends: in one version, Napoleon allegedly ran out of cannonballs and resorted to shooting rock-hard balls of Mimolette at his opponents.  True or not, it’s good to know you can count on this cheese in a pinch.